Re-usable container



March 6, 1951 L. w. SNYDER REUSABLE CONTA'INER 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1948 9 f v ffizjeruor: [607ZQ7ZZ7 7 757 4566 March 6, 1951 L. w. SNYDER 2,544,283

' REUSABLE CONTAINER Filed April 20, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 6, 1951 L. w. SNYDER REUSABLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 20, 1948 Patented Mar. 6, 1951 RE-USABLE CONTAINER Leonard W. Snyder. Mount Prospect, llL, assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application April 20, 1948, Serial No. 22,161

This invention relates, generally, to containers, such as cases for soft drink bottles, boxes for bread, bananas, etc.,' tote boxes and the like, and it has particular relation to reusable containers for these purposes.

Among the objects of this invention are: To provide a reusable fibre board container; to employ a single blank of fibre board to form the same; to construct such a container so that it can withstand readily the strains and stresses likely to be encountered in handling and so that it can be easily and rapidly assembled; to hold the container in set up condition by a metallic rim around its .upperedges with no other holding means, such as adhesive, stitching or the'like being employed: to provide the container with integral locking flaps along its sides for interfltting with the metallic rim to prevent separation thereof; to form the rim with a lip on its under side and to bias the locking flaps away from the side walls of the container to interlock therewith; and to provide for insertion of a tool within the rim for depressing the locking flaps to permit removal of the rim for reuse with another container.

Other objects of this invention will, in part, be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

This invention is disclosed in the embodiment thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and it comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of this invention, reference can be had to the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a blank of fibre board which canbe employed in practicing this invention;

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show successive steps which may be followed in setting up the container preparatory to receiving the reenforcing rim;

Figure 5 is a perspective view illustrating how the reenforcing rim can be moved into interlocking relationship with the container;

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the reenforcing rim in place;

f 8 Claims. (01. 229-32) 2 I ingthe reenforcingriminthepartiallyremoved Figures 7 and 8 are detail sectional views, at s position;

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the reenforcing rim and showinghow the clip can be spot welded to the juxtaposed ends thereof Figure 11 is a detail sectional view at an enlargesd scale taken along the line "-4! of Figure Figure 12 is a detail sectional view, at an enlarged scale, takenalong the line lI-i2 of Figure 5 and showing how the reenforcing rim with rounded corners interiits with a container having square corners to provide, in effect, a rounded comer construction; and

Figure 13 is a detail sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along the line "-43 of Figure 12.

Referring now particularly to Figure 1 of the drawings, it will be observed that the reference character l0 designates a blank that may be formed of flbreboard. For illustrative purposes it is pointed out that the blank may be formed of fiber board having a thickness of .100 inch. Also it is pointed out that the blank in can be so proportioned as to provide a container, indicated generally at I I in Figure 4, having a length of about sixteen inches, a width of about eleven inches and a depth of about nine and one-half inches. of course it will be understood that these dimensions can be varied as desired and are mentioned for the purpose of conveying some idea of the size of the container H. The container II, as shown in the drawings, has been constructed to carry twenty-four twelve-ounce bottles of a particular brand of soft drink.

As shown in Figure 1, the blank III has side walls I! and a bottom wall it which are joined along score lines IS. The side walls I! have extensions l6 and I! while the bottom wall ll has extensions l8. The side wall extensions i6 and i! are joined to the side walls I! along score lines is while the extensions it are joined to the bottom wall ll along score lines 20. The extensions l6 and I1 are severed from the extensions it along their juxtaposed edges as indicated at 2| to provide suiilcient space for interfolding them so as to provide triple layer end walls for the container II.

It will be observed that the extensions i6, il

' clearly in Figure 3 of the drawings.

Along the upper edges of the side walls l2 looking flaps 25 are provided. They are joined to the side walls i2 along score lines 21. As will appear hereinafter the locking flaps 23 are arranged to be bent downwardly parallel to the side walls l2 for interfitting with a rectangular metallic reeniorcing channel or rim which is indicated, generally, at 30 in Figure 5 of the drawings. The container, set up and assembled as above, comprises the substantially cubiform bodv and the rim 30 mounted thereon. as shown in Figure 6.

The channel or rim 30 is preferably formed of steel although it may be formed of aluminum if desired. It has a generally rectangular cross section which is uniform throughout. In order to make it more attractive it may be painted a bright color such as red. The contrast of this color with the brown fibre board employed for making the container ll provides a pleasing and attractive appearance.

As illustrated in Figure '7 of the drawings, the channel or rim 30 has an intermediate portion 3i which is corrugated or ribbed lengthwise to increase its strength and it extends parall l to the side walls l2 adjacent thereto. It is suiiiciently wide so that it is coextensive with the locking flap 26.

Along the lower edge oi the intermediate portion 3| oi the channel or rim 30 there is an inturned lip 32 which, as shown in Figure 7, is arranged to iit underneath the lower edge of the locking flap 26 which, as shown, is biased outwardly against the intermediate portion 3i This arrangement locks the channel or rim 30 in nosition on the container ii and thus provides a unitary construction.

Along its upper edge the intermediate portion 3! is provided with another li 33 which is parallel to the lower lip 32 and which is arranged, as shown in Figure 7, to abut the u per edges of the side wall l2 and contiguous locking flap 2-5. The lip 33 limits the downward movement of the channel or rim 30. A flange 34 depends from the inner edge of the upper lip 33 and tits against the inside of the wall i2. It will be understood, of course, that the channel or rim 30 is of uniform cross section throughout and that the upper lip 33 bears against the upper edges of the side and bottom wall extensions i6 and I 8 as shown in Figure 13. The flange 34 bears against the inner side of the side wall extension it near its upper edge as shown in Figure 13.

In order to hold the juxtaposed ends of the channel or rim 3!! together in a butt joint a channel shaped clip 35 may be provided, as shown in Figures .10 and ll of the drawings. The clip 35 may be secured to the intermediate portion 3| of the channel or rim 3!! by spot welding as indicated at 36.

While the container i I is generally rectangular, it is desirable for several reasons to provide it with rounded corners or at least to provide the upper portion of the same with the appearance of having rounded corners. As illustrated in Figure 12, such a construction is provided by the rounded corner construction of the reenforcing channel or rim 30. Thus, while the corners of the container "ll retain their generally rectangular connguration, the channel or rim 30 provides the desired there shown, the channel or rim 30 is moved downwardly, as indicated by the arrow 31. Suitable tools can be employed for guiding the inner edge of the lower lip 32 over the locking flaps 2i and the upper edges of the bottom wall extensions I I so that no tearing of the fibre board of which the container II is formed takes place. The container II with the channel or rim 30 assembled thereon provides a pleasing appearance when it is constructed in the manner described hereinbefore. In addition it is strong and durable and will withstand a large number of trips between the store and the customer. Experience has shown that the container ll may be reused for eight to ten times before it becomes unsuitable for further use. However, the channel or rim 30 ordinarily is undamaged and can be reused with a new container ll. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide simple and eiiicient means for removing the channel or rim 30 from the container II to permit its reuse.

For this purpose apertures 38 may be provided at one end of the channel or rim 30 as shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings. The apertures 38 are provided at the corners of the'channel or rim 30 and are arranged to receive a tool 39 in the form of a round rod. As shown in Figure 8, the tool 39, after insertion through the aperture 33, serves to force the locking flap 23 away from registry with the lower lip 32. This permits the channel or rim 30 to be moved upwardly as indicated by the arrow 40 in Figure 9 for removal from the container ll. amount of flexibility in the side wall l2, the upper end of it is moved inwardly slightly after the flange 34 is moved upwardly out of its path so that the inner edge of the lower lip 32 can be moved past the upper edge of the locking flange 2B.

As indicated, the channel or rim 30 may be formed of steel or aluminum. It is so proportioned that it is relatively rigid or stifi so that it is capable of withstanding severe stress and thus prevents distortion of the container I I while permitting the same to carry heavy loads and to withstand severe handling. Preferably the channel or rim 30 is formed 01' cold rolled steel having a thickness of .0298 inch. It may be one and onefourth inches wide at the intermediate portion 3| to accommodate locking flaps 26 having a width of one inch. The lip 33 may be three-eighths of an inch wide while the flange 34 may have a width of one-half inch. The lower lip 32 may be threesixteenths inch wide.

When the container II is somewhat lower, one of the wall extensions l6, H or 18 may be omitted at each end to provide a double rather than triple end wall construction.

Since certain changes can be made in the foregoing construction and diflerent embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is intended that all matter shown in the accompanying drawings and described hereinbefore shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed as new is:

1. A reusable rectangular fibre board container comprising, in combination, single layer side and bottom walls foldably interconnected at their ends by extensions thereof providing triple layer end walls, locking flaps folded downwardly from Since there is a limited the upper edges of said side walls and biased away from their outer surfaces. and a rectangular metallic reeniorcing channel of uniform cross section extending around the upper edges of said side and end walls and constituting the only means holding the same inset up condition, said reenforcing channel having an intermediate portion parallel to the adjacent side wall and coextensive with the adjacent locking flap, said intermediate portion having a lip along'its under side extending underneath said locking flap for interlocking with the under edge thereof when it is biased toward said intermediate portion, said intermediate portion also having a lip along its upper side extending inwardlyover the upper ed es of said side and end walls. the last mentioned .lip having a depending flange along its inner side extending parallel to the adjacent side and end walls, said intermediate portion of said metallic reenforcing ,channel being apertured to receive a tool between extending along the upper edges of said side and end walls, said reenforcing channel having an interme te portion coextensive with the adjacent locking ap with a lip along its under side extending underneath said locking flap and a lip along its upper side extending over the upper edges of aid side and end walls having a depending flan e, said locking flaps being urged away from their adjacent side walls and toward said intermediate portion whereby they are interlocked with said lip of said reenforcing channel extending underneath the same. said intermediate portion of said reenforcing channel being apertured to permit insertion oi a tool between it and the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side wall and out of interlocking engagement with the first mentioned lip to permit removal of said channel for reuse in another container.

3. A reusable container comprising, in combination, a rectangular box formed of intertolded fibre board panels providing a bottom and end and side walls, locking flaps extending downwardly from the upper edges of said side walls and biased away therefrom, and a rectangular metallic reenforcing channel having a, rectangular cross section surrounding the upper edges of said side and end walls with a lower lip extending underneath said locking flaps and interlocking with the same, the intermediate portion of said channel being coextensive with the adjacent locking flaps and spaced away from the adjacent side walls substantially more than the thickness of said flaps to permit relative movement of said box and channel into interlocking engagement, said intermediate portion of said channel bein apertured to permit insertion of a tool between it and the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side wall and out of interlocking engagement with said lip to permit removal of said channel for reuse in another container.

4. Means for reenforcing and protecting the r 6 formed by interiolding panels to provide single thickness side walls having locking flaps turned downwardly from their upper edges and triple.

thickness end walls comprising a metallic channel conforming tothe rectangular box top configuration interfltting therewith and having a rectangular cross section, said channel having an intermediate portion arranged to be coextensive with the locking flaps with a lower lip for extending into interlocking relation underneath the same, said intermediate portion 01' said channel being apertured to permit insertion of a tool between it and the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side wall and out of interlocking engagement with said lip to permit removal of said channel for reuse with another box.

5. Means J for reenforcing and .protecting the upper edges of a rectangular fibre board box formed by interi'olding panels to provide single thickness side walls having locking flaps turned downwardly from their upper edges and triple thickness end walls comprising a metallic channel conforming to the rectangular box top configuration interfitting therewith and having a rectangular cross section, said channel having an intermediate portion arranged to be coextensive with the locking flaps with a lower lip for extending into interlocking relation underneath the same, said intermediate portion also having a lip along its upper side for extending over the upper edges of the side and end walls of the box, the last mentioned lip having a depending flange for extending parallel to the side and end walls of the box, said intermediate portion of said channel being apertured to permit insertion of a tool between it and the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side wall and out of interlocking engagement with said lip to permit removal of said channel for reuse with another box.

6. A reusable container comprising a substantially cubiform fibre board body, locking flaps extending downwardly from the upper edges of the side walls of said body, and a substantially rectangular reenforcing channel member extending along the upper edges of the side and end walls of said body, said member having an intermediate portion substantially coextensive with the adjacent locking flap with a lip along its lower edge extending beneath said locking flap and a lip along its upper edge extending over the upper edges of said side and end walls and having a depending flange, said locking flaps being urged away from their adjacent side walls and toward said intermediate portion whereby they are interlocked with said lip of said reenforcing channel member extending underneath the same, said intermediate portion of said reenforcing channel being corrugated lengthwise and apertured for insertion of a tool between it and the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side wall and out of interlocking engagement with said lower lip to permit removal of said channel member for reuse in another container.

7. A reusable container comprising a substantially cubiform fibre board body, locking flaps extending downwardly from the upper edges of the side walls of said body, and a substantially rectangular reenforcing channel member extending along the upper edges of the side and end walls of said body, said member having an intermediate portion substantially coextensive with the adjacent locking fla with a lip along its lower edge extending beneath said locking flap and a lip -along its upper edge extending over the upper upper edges oi a rectangular fibre board box 15 edges of said side and end walls and having a de- 7 pending'flange. said locking flaps being urged away from their adjacent side walls and toward said intermediate portion whereby they are interlocked with said lip of said reenforcing channel member extending underneath the same. said intermediate portion 01' said reenforcing channel being corrugated lengthwise and apertured at one end for insertion of a tool between it and the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side wall and out of interlocking engagement with said lower lip to permit removal 01' said channel member for reuse in another container.

a. A reusable container comprising a substantially cubiiorm fibre board body, locking flaps extending downwardly from the upper edges of the side walls of said body, and a substantially rectangular reenforcing channel member extending along the upper edges 01' the side and end walls of said body. said member having an intermediate portion substantially coextensive with 20 pending flange, said locking flaps being urged 35 away from their adjacent side walls and toward 8 said intermediate portion whereby they are inter locked with said lip of said reentorcing member extending underneath the same, said intermediate portion of said reeniorcing channel being corrugated lengthwise and provided at one end with an aperture aligned with a corrugation inwardly of said intermediate portion for insertion of a tool between it and'the adjacent locking flap to move the latter toward its side walland out of interlocking engagement with said lower lip to permit removal oi said channel member for reuse in another container.

LEONARD W. SNYDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile or this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,130,271 Hammond Mar. 2, 1915 2,153,122 Powell Apr. 4, 1939 2,191,291 Smith Feb. 20, 1940 2,225,958 Mandel Dec. 24, 1940 2,352,994 Morgan July 4. 1944 

